top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

71% want to work on Sundays

As long as Sunday work is better-paid, and replaced by a day off in the week, most French would do it

A POLL on Sunday working has found that 71% of French would be willing to do it, as long as it was better-paid and replaced with a day off during the week.

The poll, by Ifop for Metronews, was taken after two DIY stores, Leroy-Merlin and Castorama, defied bans on opening on Sunday.

It showed that attitudes towards Sunday opening were shifting. In 2008 a similar poll found just 52% supported opening on Sunday, while the level today is 69%. The number of people wanting to see the law relaxed has also risen 15 points over the same period, up to 72%.

The government has said it will examine the issue.

"This is a turning point. In five years, this opinion has really grown. In 2008 it was still the start of the financial crisis, but today, financial exasperation, unemployment, and spending power have brought the French to be largely in favour of working on Sunday,” said the assistant director general of Ifop, Frédéric Dabi.

The will to work on Sunday was particularly strong among young people. Of those who termed themselves left-wing 60% supported it, while support rose to 82% among those on the right. The only exception was Front de gauche supporters where only 45% wanted to work on Sunday.

In general, those living in towns were more keen on the idea than those in the countryside (82% support against 66%).

Recently Monoprix announced it would close all its stores at 9pm after a row with unions over contract negotiations for late-night work.

The fashion chain Sephora has also been forced to close its flagship Champs Elysées store at 9pm after a court case.

Related article:
Stores defy Sunday ban
Sephora forced to shut at 21.00

Photo: Apops - fotolia.com

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France